‘We haven’t decided yet,’ Gina said truthfully.
‘Well, time enough, my dear. You will wish to go to London for your bride-clothes. If you wish it I will give you an introduction to Madame Félice…She has provided Letty’s trousseau.’
Gina laughed. ‘I thank you, ma’am, but I think not. I am not quite her style…’
‘Perhaps not!’ Mrs Rushford subjected her future daughter-in-law to a searching inspection. ‘Letty is, after all, a beauty…not that you do not always look charmingly, Gina, though you might consider something a little more modish.’
Gina hid a smile. Mrs Rushford’s penchant for extravagant trimmings was well known. She could see no virtue in understated elegance. It had escaped her notice that Gina’s shawl of the finest Norwich silk had cost the best part of fifty guineas.
‘Well, Mama, at least you and Letty are prepared for all occasions.’ India hastened to divert her mother’s attention from Gina. She had caught her friend’s eye and she realised that Gina was struggling to keep her countenance. ‘I never saw so many packages in my life…’
‘The shopping was tiring,’ Mrs Rushford admitted grandly. ‘You must blame Isham, my dear India. He insisted that Letty must have the best of everything.’
Letty shot an anxious glance at her brother-in-law. ‘But not quite so much of everything,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Oh, Anthony, I am so sorry. I couldn’t stop her. We shall be forever in your debt.’
Isham drew her into the window embrasure. ‘Not nearly so much as I am in yours, Letty. Your mother was filling India’s head with foolish fancies. Had you not taken her away I should have been forced to speak severely. That would have upset my darling wife.’
‘India looks so much better now. Gina’s company has been good for her, I think.’
‘That’s true! And now, with the two weddings to occupy your mother’s mind, India will get some peace. When does Oliver arrive?’
‘In time for the feˆte at Perceval Hall, I hope.’ Letty was radiant at the prospect of seeing her betrothed again. ‘When I wrote I warned him of the date, so I expect him by Thursday at the latest. The feˆte is on the eighteenth, is it not?’
‘It is. That is Friday of next week. I had best rally the troops. Lady Eleanor will be hoping for a good attendance…’
Mrs Rushford caught his last words. She leaned back in her chair with a gracious smile. ‘My sister’s gatherings are always well attended,’ she announced. ‘One is often surprised by some of the guests, but times are changing, as we all know, and the villagers enjoy the opportunity to mingle with their betters.’ She leaned towards the Westcotts and for an awful moment India feared another gaffe. She was saved when dinner was announced.
Local gossip would prove to be the safest subject at the dinner table, she decided, but none of her guests could throw any further light upon the mysterious murder of the Marquis.
‘But what of the Prince’s men?’ Gina was puzzled. ‘Have they discovered nothing?’
‘Not yet, so I understand.’ Isham turned to Mr Westcott. ‘What is your opinion, sir?’
‘I won’t speculate, my lord. The facts are few, it seems, in spite of the enquiries made throughout the village. Burneck, the single remaining servant at Steepwood Abbey, is thought to know far more than he’ll admit. Pressure may be brought to bear on him…Otherwise he’ll keep his secret.’
‘Truth will out!’ Mrs Clewes said cheerfully. ‘I confess I’d like to know before I leave for Bristol…’
There was a general outcry.
‘Ma’am, you don’t think of leaving us yet?’ India was dismayed. ‘Won’t you attend the feˆte?’
‘I’d love to,’ Mrs Clewes said promptly. ‘But it’s my feet, my dear. I ain’t in the way of being able to walk about so much.’
‘Then you shan’t do so, my dear ma’am.’ Isham grinned at her. ‘If you’ll accept the offer of a bath-chair I shall challenge you to a duel at the coconut shies…’
‘Done! What is your wager, sir?’
‘If you lose we hold you prisoner here for the rest of the summer…’ He gave her a conspiratorial wink.
‘Bless me, my lord, you’ll have me ruined with this life of luxury.’ Mrs Clewes beamed her pleasure at the invitation. ‘I’ll be naught but a parasite…’
‘No, ma’am, I have ulterior motives. Giles tells me that you like a game of cards. With Mrs Rushford we shall make up a useful foursome…’ Isham gave her a long look, and Mrs Clewes was quick to understand. With her support India would have some protection from her mother’s gloomy prognostications.
‘I play for pennies, sir, but there, you won’t mind that. Besides, I don’t intend to lose the wager…if this fine weather holds, which I make no doubt it will.’
She was right, and on the following Friday the entire party joined the queue of carriages at the entrance to Perceval Hall.
Mrs Rushford was in the best of humours. The long wait did not trouble her in the least as she nodded and smiled at her acquaintances.
‘July is just the best of months for a function of this kind,’ she said approvingly. ‘With the Season over, so many of our friends are returned to the country. I declare, we shall never be at home. Since the announcement of your betrothal appeared in the London papers, Giles, we’ve had kind messages and invitations by every post.’
The villagers too were pressing close to the open carriage, offering their good wishes to the future bridegroom. India glanced at him and then at her sister.
‘Dear Giles!’ she said softly. ‘He looks as radiant as any bride. Is it not wonderful?’
Letty pressed her hand, but her gaze was fixed on Oliver. ‘We are all so lucky, India. A year ago we could not have imagined that we should be here, within weeks of our marriages to those we love so much.’
India looked at the sea of faces that surrounded her. ‘Your weddings will be well attended, love. The news has spread like wildfire since the first of the banns was called.’
‘I can’t believe it yet,’ Letty’s eyes were dreamy. ‘Oh, look! There is Gina with the girls…’
Giles was out of the carriage in an instant, though the procession was already beginning to move. Minutes later he handed Gina down, tucking her hand beneath his arm.
‘Let me make you known to my aunt and uncle, my darling…’ He glanced back to see his mother deep in conversation with one of her bosom bows.
Mrs Rushford had prepared her story carefully, stressing Gina’s title, hinting at her fortune, and glossing over the previous background and unfortunate antecedents of her future daughter-in-law.
‘Mother will be fully occupied for the day,’ he predicted as they approached Sir James and Lady Perceval. ‘Later we’ll slip away somewhere on our own.’
Gina looked up at him with laughing eyes. ‘And what of Mair and Elspeth?’ she asked. ‘I have certain responsibilities, my dear.’
‘Nonsense!’ he said fondly. ‘Look at them! They have already found their friends…’
It was true. Mair and Elspeth were surrounded by a group of girls, many of whom attended Mrs Guarding’s Academy, and included the Vicar’s younger daughters, Frederica and Henrietta.
Gina was welcomed kindly by Sir James and Lady Perceval.
‘Shall you care to attend the running races?’ Lady Eleanor enquired. ‘They are always well supported, and the Vicar will present the prizes…’
Gina and Giles strolled off in company with their host and hostess and for the next hour they were fully occupied in clapping home the various contestants. There was keen competition among the villagers for the chance to win a new smock for the men, and lengths of material and ribbons for the girls.
Giles looked round as the smell of roasting meat drifted across the lawns.
‘I’m starving,’ he announced ‘Will the ox be ready, Aunt?’
‘I hope so, Giles. The fire was lit at first light yesterday. Gina must be hungry too. Will you take her over to the tables?’ She turned to Gina. �
��In the ordinary way we should dine en famille, my dear, but today is open house, and all are welcome to as much as they can eat and drink. We don’t stand on ceremony.’
Gina looked at the milling crowds. ‘You are generous, ma’am.’ She twinkled at her hostess. ‘Your guests appear to be taking full advantage.’
‘I’m glad of it,’ her ladyship said simply. ‘Times have been hard for everyone in these past years and we have felt so helpless. This is the least that we can do…Now off you go, and enjoy yourselves…’
‘Your aunt feels strongly for the local people,’ Gina observed as they strolled away. ‘My mother and father have the highest praise for her.’
‘She deserves it, Gina. Had Steepwood Abbey not have been lost to the Marquis, it would have been the Earl of Yardley who looked to the welfare of the villagers. Now those duties have fallen upon my aunts and both my uncles.’
‘I’m glad that your uncle William is to marry us,’ she told him shyly. ‘Are you happy with this notion of a double wedding?’
For answer he slipped an arm about her waist and held her close. ‘Can you doubt it? I’d have agreed to anything, my love, just so long as you become my bride.’
Gina blushed. ‘People are looking at us, Giles.’
‘Let them look!’ He helped her to a generous portion of roast meat. ‘I think we need not stay for long. No one will miss us in this crush if we slip away.’
‘First I must find the girls and let them know. They will wonder if we are nowhere to be found.’
‘Will they?’ he teased. ‘You forget, my darling, Mair and Elspeth are almost women grown, and Mair, in particular, soon found out our secret.’
‘Even so, I don’t wish to desert them.’ Gina looked about her. ‘I don’t see them anywhere, do you?’
‘Were they not with Frederica? She is with her sister, over there. Shall I ask for them?’
As he moved over to speak to the girls, Gina followed him.
‘Why, Mr Rushford, we all went to see the hermit’s grotto in the grounds,’ Frederica told him. ‘Mr Westcott sent us back to find some of our friends. He felt that they would like to see it…’
Gina’s blood turned to ice in her veins. ‘Mr Westcott? Are you speaking of my father?’
She knew the answer before the girls replied. ‘No, ma’am,’ Henrietta said politely. ‘It was Mr Samuel Westcott who mentioned the grotto to us…’
‘There now, you have no further need to worry…’ Giles turned to Gina, only to find that her face was deathly pale.
‘Where…where is this grotto?’ she choked out.
‘Why, ma’am, it is along that path…’ The girls were startled by the urgency in Gina’s voice.
‘Giles, will you get my father?’ Gina threw the words at him as she sped away. She was ploughing through mire on leaden feet, unable to gain speed. Pray heaven that she was not too late. Ignoring the stitch in her side, she hurried on, until the shell-lined grotto came into view.
Now common-sense returned. She slowed, approaching the grotto from the side. Hopefully, nothing untoward had happened. Peering into the gloom, all she could see was the vast bulk of her uncle. He seemed to be pleading with Elspeth.
‘Were you hoping to see the hermit?’ he asked. ‘He won’t appear if there are two of you.’
‘I don’t believe that there is a hermit,’ Elspeth told him scornfully. ‘How would he live here in the winter? This place is cold and damp.’
‘Then fetch Gina,’ he suggested. ‘She will tell you the truth of it. Mair and I will wait for you…’
‘I think not!’ Gina stepped into the cavern. ‘Mair, you and Elspeth must return to others…’
‘But, Gina, this place is fascinating,’ Elspeth stared at her. ‘Just look at all the shells! It must have taken years to build them into the walls…’
‘Do as I say!’ Gina’s voice was verging on hysteria. The girls did not argue further. They hurried away.
Samuel Westcott turned towards her, his small eyes alive with malice. ‘Gina to the rescue?’ he jeered. ‘You’ll do instead, my dear.’
Gina faced him squarely. ‘I warned you, uncle,’ she said quietly. ‘This time you have gone too far…’
He laughed in her face. ‘For showing the girls a grotto? It seems innocent enough to me…’
Gina stood her ground. ‘I know you all too well,’ she replied. ‘You were trying to get rid of Elspeth. What would have happened had I not arrived?’
‘Shall I show you, Gina?’ He waddled towards her then, his fat hands reaching out for her. ‘Are you to be wed? I’ll have you first, you vixen.’ Then he was upon her, tearing at her gown. ‘I’ve waited long enough for this…’
Gina screamed as he ripped her bodice open to the waist. His hands were everywhere, fondling her breasts, sliding over her hips, and tugging at her skirts.
‘Don’t fight me!’ he said thickly. ‘You know it’s what you want. How long is it since a man has bedded you?’
Gina didn’t answer him. With a sigh she let herself grow limp within his grasp. To struggle would be useless. He was much too strong for her, but she might outwit him with guile.
‘Fainted, have you?’ he grunted. ‘Pity! I wanted you to know exactly what I’m going to do to you…’
Gina thought quickly. Her thin kid slippers were too soft to hurt him if she kicked out, and he was holding her too close for her to raise a knee and sink it into that amorphous mass of flesh.
He shook her roughly, and when she didn’t respond he loosened his grip just enough for Gina to bend her arm. Then she drove her elbow into his stomach.
He doubled up with a gasp. He was standing between her and the narrow entrance to the grotto, but when she tried to push past him, his hand shot out and gripped her waist. Gina bent her head and tried to bite him, but he wound his fingers into her hair and pulled until the pain was unbearable.
‘Still up to your old tricks, my girl? I’ve owed you something for these many years. Now It’s time to pay…’
‘Let me go!’ she cried. ‘Giles is following me…’
‘Giles is following me!’ he mimicked. ‘He ain’t here yet, my dear. Thought you’d trick me, didn’t you, by making up to George? But I know you, you bitch! George ain’t good enough for you. Will Rushford want my leavings…?’
Her situation was hopeless, but Gina fought him tooth and nail, clawing at his face and drawing blood.
With a curse he slapped her hard across the head, knocking her to the ground. Then he threw himself upon her, fumbling at her skirts.
Gina writhed beneath him, but she felt that she was suffocating. Nausea overcame her at the smell of his stale sweat, but the lascivious mouth came ever closer to her own.
Then, suddenly, the weight was gone and she heard a crash as her uncle was thrown bodily across the floor of the cave to land against the stone wall.
Giles was upon him in an instant, his hands around the bull neck. He hadn’t uttered a word and somehow his silence was more terrible than any shouts of outrage.
Gina watched in horror as Samuel Westcott’s feet began to drum upon the ground.
‘No!’ she cried. ‘Don’t kill him! He isn’t worth a hanging!’
Giles seemed not to have heard her as she struggled painfully to her feet.
‘Let him go, I beg of you!’ Her hands were upon her lover’s shoulders, but he didn’t look at her.
Then she was gently set aside, as her father took her place. By exerting all his strength he broke the death grip which Giles had upon his brother.
‘Gina is right,’ he said quietly. ‘This animal isn’t worth a hanging. He won’t trouble you again. I’ll make sure of that.’ He looked in disgust at the cowering man upon the ground.
‘Get out!’ he said in icy tones. ‘You are no kin of mine. Show your face in Abbot Quincey ever again and I’ll destroy you. Don’t forget that I own most of your London business…’
With a speed surprising in so large a man, Samuel Westc
ott scuttled away.
Gina was shaking uncontrollably. Only the fact that Giles was holding her enabled her to stand upright.
‘Come out into the light,’ he urged gently. ‘Shall I carry you, my love?’
‘Just give me a moment,’ she whispered. ‘I shall be perfectly all right.’ Weakly, she tried to draw together the edges of her gown, which was ripped from bodice to hemline. ‘It’s ruined!’ she said inconsequentially. Then she burst into tears.
‘My dear child!’ Her father was still deeply shocked. ‘Let me take you home…You need to rest…’
‘Sir, with respect, I will take Gina home. If you’d be good enough to find the girls and follow us…?’
‘No!’ Gina wiped away her tears. ‘No one must ever know what has happened here. Let the girls stay…I want to change before I see them.’
‘Then I’ll come with you to the Mansion House,’ her father said firmly. ‘I have much to say to you…’ His eyes were so sad that Gina reached out to him.
‘How much did you hear?’ she asked.
‘Enough to know the answers to much that has puzzled me for years. Why did you not tell me, Gina?’
‘I couldn’t!’ she confessed. ‘He is your own brother. Would you have believed me?’
‘I no longer have a brother,’ he said sternly. ‘Was this why you ran away from us, my dear?’
She nodded, but she could not trust herself to give him the details of those far-off attempts upon her virtue.
‘I’ve been a fool,’ George Westcott said. ‘The truth has been staring me in the face for years. Other incidents have been reported to me. I didn’t believe any of the complaints, putting them down to envy and ill-will.’
‘It’s over now,’ she comforted. ‘You know the truth about him. He will not face you ever again.’
Gina turned to Giles. ‘Will you take me home, my darling?’
Wordlessly, he put his arm about her and held her close, burying his face in her hair.
‘I might have been too late,’ he whispered. ‘When you were most in need of me I wasn’t there…Oh, my dear, why did you decide to confront your uncle on your own?’
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